Coaching Legend Wooden Shares Secrets to Success

ANAHEIM, Calif. – John Wooden, former UCLA basketball coach who led the university to a record 10 NCAA championships, entertained an invitation-only lunch audience during the California and Nevada Credit Union League annual meeting. Wooden, known for his legendary ability to motivate teams, shared his “success pyramid” developed originally to help his children succeed in life. Drawing laughs from the audience, the 95-year-old speaker said that not long ago, his 70-year-old daughter told him she finally has the life experience and perspective to understand the success principles he had taught her as a child. Wooden described all the building blocks of his success pyramid, explaining the importance of such qualities as industriousness, enthusiasm, loyalty, cooperation, skill, patience and competitive greatness. He shared personal antidotes gained over the years as a coach, and flavored his message with his favorite poems about competition and success. The coaching great also shared his own definition of success, which is, “the peace of mind attained only through the self-satisfaction of knowing you made the effort to do the best of which you are capable.” Following his presentation, Wooden remained in the ballroom to sign autographs and pose for photos with a long line of eager fans. -